Sunday, January 26, 2014

Bit of a mystery bird, the Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex). Two races, simplex, plainish and confined to Northern Territory, and peninsulae, with lemon underbelly and located in northeast Queensland.

But there's no hint of lemon in most Grey Whistlers around Ingham, such as the above at Jourama Falls yesterday.

As to grey, it's easy to see why alternative name - little-used, though more appropriate - is Brown Whistler.

Three of the tiny frugivores feasted for a few minutes on spindly, sparsely fruiting fig trees before streaking off with their squeaky 'zeet zeets'. Ten years of Wallaman drives and the first time up close to the species.

From small fruit-eaters to big: Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii). Two flew over the Wallaman road yesterday, but more usual sightings come near the coast. The big birds love ripping into big green almonds, leaving part-eaten fruit and small branches and leaves littering the ground.

And two tidier eaters, one each just for Jarvi and Moss: Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus).

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Making a change from mee-yowling from some hidden spot in the rainforest canopy, Spotted Catbird (Ailuroedus melanotis) pops into the open along the Wallaman Falls road between showers the other day. Four others showed out briefly, then all five vanished. Typical rainforest experience.

As also with shy White-headed Pigeon (Columba leucomela) along the Paluma Dam road on another showery day. Seldom seen away from the treetops, the bird touched down beside a creek and foraged among the stones for a minute or two. Then, gone and not seen or heard again.

Less wary, but another higher altitude dweller, Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops) calls from alongside a track to the west of Wallaman Falls. Sunnier setting on a sunnier day.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Uncommon sightings close together along Orient Station road today, two immature Pallid Cuckoos (Cacomantis pallidus), only one of which sat up nicely on a post. The other, a lighter coloured bird that would not sit for the camera, begged without success from a White-breasted Woodswallow, clearly one of the four put-upon parents.